Hydraulic

Engineering
Hydrology Introduction to Highway Hydraulics
(Ch2), Urban Drainage (Ch3)

• Hydrologic Circle
• Watershed Hydrology
• Peak Flow
• Continuous-Runoff Models

2
 Design of Hydraulic Structures
➝ A bicycle bridge is to be replaced by a road & culvert.
➝ How will we determine the culvert size required?

Some design flow rate

(Q) considerations?
 Road’s importance
 Culvert cost vs.
level of protection.
 Consequences of
failure (i.e., if flow
goes over the road)
The Hydrologic Cycle
Atmospheric Moisture

39
1 0 0 Moisture over land
P r e c i pdi t a t i o n o n l a n

61 385
P Evaporation from land Precipitation
on ocean
Snow
melt
Runoff Evap
Surface
runoff
Precipitation ET
424
Evap Evaporation
from ocean

Infiltration Streams
Groundwater Wat
er t ab l
Recharge e
Runoff
38 Surface discharge
Groundwater flow

Impervious 1 Groundwater
Lake strata GW discharge

Reservoir
 Q Q
Ws
P I

Interflow
Watershed Overland flow
Rainfall Infiltration Baseflow
Characteristics Channel flow
Major Hydrologic Processes

➝ Precipitation (measured by radar or rain

gage)
➝ Evaporation or ET (loss to atmosphere)
➝ Infiltration (loss to subsurface soils)
➝ Overland flow (sheet flow toward nearest
stream)
➝ Streamflow (measured flow at stream gage)
➝ Ground water flow and well mechanics
➝ Water quality and contaminant transport

6
A Note on Units

➝ Rainfall volume is normally

measured in mm
➝ Rainfall rate or intensity in mm/hr
➝ Infiltration is measured in mm/hr
➝ Evaporation is measured in mm/hr
➝ Streamflow is measured in m3/s
➝ Ground water flows are measured
as m3/day

7
 Watershed Hydrology
One of the principal objectives in hydrology is to transform rainfall that has fallen
over a watershed area into flows to be expected in the receiving stream

Q Hyd
Ws
P Qp

Rainfall Watershed Runoff

Peak flow Hydrograph
Characteristics
Rainfall Characteristics

➝ Volume-Duration-
Frequency
➝ Intensity-Duration-
Frequency (IDF)
Relationships

9
 Volume-Duration-Frequency
➝ Duration ➝ Volume
is the length is the amount of
of time over precipitation
which a that occurs over
precipitation the storm
event occurs duration
➝ Frequency
is the frequency of
occurrence of event that
have the same volume
and duration. The term
frequency is often used
instead of return period.
There is a simple
relationship between the
return period and the
probability of occurrence.
If N is the recurrence
interval of the event (in
years) then the
probability P of the event
being equaled or
exceeded in any given
year is the reciprocal of N
10
(P=1/N).
Intensity-Duration-Frequency
• IDF design curves
•Various return periods &
durations
• Used for drainage design of
pipes & roads
• Used for floodplain designs -
watersheds
Approximate geographic areas for NRCS rainfall
distributions (NRCS, 1986).
NRCS 24-hours type II design storm for
hyetograph times from 10 to 14 hours and an
increment of 0.25 hour
NRCS 24-hours rainfall distributions (not to scale).
NRCS, 1984
The Watershed or Basin
➝ Area of land that drains
to a single outlet and is
separated from other
watersheds by a
drainage divide.
➝ Rainfall that falls in a
watershed will generate
runoff to that watershed
outlet.
➝ Topographic elevation
is used to define a
watershed boundary
➝ Scale is a big issue for
analysis
 Watershed Characteristics

• Size (WS boundary)

• Slope
• Shape
• Soil type-land use (C, CN)
• Storage capacity

• Timing
• Lag time
• Time of concentration
 Watersheds and Drainage Areas
Definition: The land area that contributes to flow at a
hydraulic structure (the design point; circle in the figure)
Drainage
Divide
 Subbasins
Divided according to topography and hydrology

SUB C
Sub B

Sub A

Get a modern PowerPoint

Overland Flow
Presentation that is beautifully
designed. Outlet
Channel Flow
 Watershed Characteristics

• Size (WS boundary)

• Slope
• Shape
• Soil type-land use (C, CN)
• Storage capacity

• Timing
• Lag time
• Time of concentration
Soil type-land use (C, CN)
Given: A toe-of-slope channel collects runoff
from the roadway and an adjacent watershed.
The tributary area has a fairly uniform cross
section as follows: 3.5 m of concrete pavement; 8
m grassed channel in a sandy soil, and
backslope; 60 m of forested watershed. The
length of the area is 125 m. Find: Runoff
coefficient, C
Rational method
Given: A toe-of-slope channel collects runoff from the roadway and an adjacent
watershed. The tributary area has a fairly uniform cross section as follows: 3.5 m of
concrete pavement; 8 m grassed channel in a sandy soil, and backslope; 60 m of forested
watershed. The length of the area is 125 m.
Runoff Curve Numbers
for hydrologic soil-
cover complexes
under average
antecedent moisture
conditions
Hydrologic Soil Groups are
defined in SCS County Soil
Survey reports
covers for estimating curve
numbers
(US Soil Conservation
Service, 1972)
Curve Numbers for urban/suburban land covers (US Soil Conservation Service ,
1975)

Hydrologic Soil Groups are defined in SCS County Soil Survey reports
SCS Curve Number Method
SCS developed runoff curve numbers (CN), and it
depends on soil characteristics, land cover, and
antecedent moisture conditions
Example
A watershed is 40% wooded and 60% residential (1/4-ac lots) The
watershed has 50% soil group B and 50% soil group C. Determine
the runoff volume if the rainfall is 7 in. Assume antecedent
conditions number II.
Land Use Soil Group Fraction of Area CN
Wooded B 0.4(0.5)=0.2 55
C 0.4(0.5)=0.2 70
Residential B 0.6(0.5)=0.3 75
C 0.6(0.5)=0.3 83

The weighted CN is
CN=0.2(55)+0.2(70)+0.3(75)+0.3(83)=72.4
Use CN=72
 Watershed Characteristics

• Size (WS boundary)

• Slope
• Shape
• Soil type-land use (C, CN)
• Storage capacity

• Timing
• Lag time
• Time of concentration
http://wegc203116.uni-graz.at/meted

• Timing

28
 Time of Concentration, cont.

The overland- The velocity for

sheet flow shallow Open channel flow
equation gives concentrated velocity can be
time (90m): flow is: estimated from the
Manning’s equation:

R 2 / 3 0.5
Tt = 6.9 (nL) 0.6 V  kS 0.5
 S 1.49 2 / 3 1 / 2
n v R S
(i) 0.4 S 0.3 n
where
where
Tt=travel time (min) V = average velocity where
n = Manning roughness (m/s), and n is the Manning
coefficient (for sheet s = slope of hydraulic roughness
flow) grade line number
L = flow length (m) R hydraulic
i = rainfall intensity
(watercourse
slope, m/m) radius (A/P)
(mm/hr), and
s = slope of hydraulic
S channel slope
grade line (land slope, (m/m)
m/m)
 Time of Concentration
Time of concentration is defined as the time required for rain falling
at the hydraulically most remote point location in the watershed to
reach the outlet. It is not a direct measurement.
➝ The flow path is divided into overland flow, shallow concentrated
flow (rills, swales), and concentrated flow (channels).

➝ Travel time is a tc  T
i

function of flow length (L) and velocity (V).

L
T
V

➝ Flow length (L) of each segment is

➝ measured from a map.
 Watershed Hydrology
One of the principal objectives in hydrology is to transform rainfall that has fallen
over a watershed area into flows to be expected in the receiving stream

Q Hyd
Ws
P Qp

Rainfall Watershed Runoff

Peak flow Hydrograph
Characteristics
 01 Calibrated Models

Rational Method for Estimating Peak Flow

02
Peak flow
03 NRCS Rainfall-Runoff Depth Relation

Soil Conservation Service Graphical-

04 Peak Discharge Method
Rational Method for Peak Flow
The prediction of peak flow
Qp (m3/s) from the formula

Qp  CiA1000 / 3600
A= area of
watershed A
(km2)

i=intensity of rainfall of chosen frequency for a

i duration equal to time of concentration tc

(mm/hr)
C tc= equilibrium time for rainfall occurring the most
remote portion of the watershed contribute to the flow
at the outlet (min or hr)
C= runoff coefficient (see
table increase 10, 20, 25
percent for 20, 25, 100
year return respectively)
Duration and volume of Rational method
hydrographs.
Example
Find: The 10-year peak flow using the Rational Formula and the IDF Curve
Example
Find: The 10-year peak flow using the Rational Formula and the IDF Curve

Existing condition (unimproved):

Rainfall intensity, I Q = CIA
Existing condition (unimproved) 48 mm/hr = (0.235)(48)(17.55)/360
Proposed condition (improved) 58 mm/hr = 0.55 m3/s
Proposed condition (improved):
Q = CIA
= (0.315)(58)(17.55)/360
= 0.89 m3/s
 Design of Subdivided
Watersheds (Rational Method)
Three methods;
➝ design of subdivided watershed
➝ design of subdivided watersheds with impervious areas
➝ rational method hydrographs.

The first method is based on the following rules

➝ For each inlet area at the headwater of the drainage area the
Rational method is used to determine the peak discharge
(Q=CiA)
➝ For locations where the drainage arrives from more than one
inlet areas
⇾ longer time of concentration is used to find design intensity, i
(tinlet<?>ttravel)
⇾ a weighted runoff coefficient is computed, C
⇾ total drainage area is used to calculate the peak discharge, A.
 A = A = A =
C = C = C =
= = =

Infographic Style
Inlet 1 Inlet 2 Inlet 3

Pipe 1 Pipe 2

1 2 3 4 5
Calculate flow Calculate flow Calculate flow Calculate flow Calculate flow
for inlet 1, for inlet 2 for pipe 2 for inlet 3 for pipe 3
and pipe 1 Qinlet2= Qpipe2= Qinlet3= Qpipe3=
Qinlet1= C2i2A2 C’i’A’ C3i3A3 C’i’A’
Qpipe1= Calculate C’ Calculate C’
C1i1A1 A C  A2C2 A1C1  A2C2  A3C3
C' 
designed. C '  1 .1 A1 . A2  A3
A1  A2
Calculate i’ Calculate i’
where tc is the where tc is the
greater of greater of
t1+ttravel1, or t2 t1+ttravel1,+ttravel
Calculate A’ or t2+ttravel2, or t3
A’=A1+A2 Calculate A’
A’=A1+A2+A3
Determine peak flow at the inlets, and storm sewers using the rational method
A drainage area is divided into 3 subareas, with the characteristics shown.
Use a 10-year return period.

2 Inlet

A1=2.3 ha A2=5.3 ha A3=3.3 ha

C=0.35 C=0.6 C=0.7
tc1=9 min tc2=10 min tc3=5 min 3 Inlet

1
1 storm sewer 2storm sewer 3storm sewer
Inlet
L1=200m L2=150m L3=120m
tt1=4 min tt2=3 min tt3=3 min
 NRCS Rainfall-Runoff Depth Relation
( P  0.2S ) 2
Q
P  0.8S
for P > Ia=0.2S
S can be expressed as
 1000 
S  25 .4  10 
 CN  for Q,P S in mm (empirical)

Peak flow is then estimated with the following equation:

qp = qu Ak Q
where:
qp = Peak flow, m3/s
c +c1logtc+c2(logtc)2
qu = Unit peak flow, m3/s/km2mm (table 3-8), qu= 0.000431*10 0
Ak = Basin area, km2
Q = Runoff depth, mm
Example
Given: The following physical and hydrologic conditions.
• 3.3 sq km of fair condition open space and 2.8 sq km of large lot residential
• Negligible pond and swamp land
• Hydrologic soil type C
• Average antecedent moisture conditions
• Time of concentration is 0.8 hr
• 24-hour, type II rainfall distribution, 10-year rainfall of 150 mm (5.9 in)
Find: The 10-year peak flow using the SCS peak flow method.
Example
Given: The following physical and hydrologic conditions.
• 3.3 sq km of fair condition open space and 2.8 sq km of large lot residential
• Negligible pond and swamp land
• Hydrologic soil type C
• Average antecedent moisture conditions
• Time of concentration is 0.8 hr
• 24-hour, type II rainfall distribution, 10-year rainfall of 150 mm (5.9 in)
Find: The 10-year peak flow using the SCS peak flow method.

Step 1: Calculate the composite curve number.

CN = Σ (CNx Ax)/A = [3.3(79) + 2.8(77)]/(3.3 + 2.8) = 78
Step 2: Calculate the retention, S,
S = 25.4(1000/CN - 10) = 25.4 [(1000/78) - 10] = 72 mm
Step 3: Calculate the depth of direct runoff
Q = (P-0.2S )2 / (P+0.8S ) = [150 - 0.2(72)]2/[[150 + 0.8(72)] = 89 mm
Step 4: Determine Ia/P
Ia/P = 0.10
Step 5: Determine coefficients from
C = 2.55323 C1 = -0.61512 C2 = -0.16403
Step 6: Calculate unit peak flow qu=0.000431.10c0+c1logtc+c2(logtc)2=
0.000431.10(2.55323+(-0.61512log(0.8))+(-0.161403)(log(0.8)2))= 0.176 m3/s/km2/mm

Step 7: Calculate peak flow qp = qu Ak Q = (0.176)(3.3 + 2.8)(89) = 96 m3/s

 Watershed Hydrology
One of the principal objectives in hydrology is to transform rainfall that has fallen
over a watershed area into flows to be expected in the receiving stream

Q Hyd
Ws
P Qp

Rainfall Watershed Runoff

Peak flow Hydrograph
Characteristics
Hydrograph Process
The separation of rainfall
hyetograph into 3 parts,
initial abstraction, losses
and rainfall excess

Description of the transfer

function the unit
hydrograph (UH)

The separation of runoff

hydrograph into direct
runoff and baseflow
 Watershed Response

T
 Precipitation over the area
 Portion Infiltrates the soil
 Portion Evaporates or ET back
 Remainder - Overland Flow
 Overland flow – Channel-stream flow
 Final Hydrograph at Outlet
 Watershed Flow Response
Hydrograph -
to Rainfall
➝ Peak Flow and time to
Lag or time to peak
peak relate to area/shape
Peak Flow
of watershed
➝ Area under curve is the Hydrograph

Outflow
RF
volume of DRO
Volume of Runoff
➝ Time Base is time that
DRO
flow exceeds baseflow
➝ Time to peak or Lag is Time Base
measured from center of
Time
mass of rainfall pattern
Urbanization Effect in a Watershed

Increase Peak
Decrease timing
Loss of Storage

Q
Natural

T
NRCS Method
Dimensionless Hydrograph
NRCS Methods (<20mi2)
The Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS), (SCS, 1957,
1964) developed a dimensionless
unit hydrograph based on large a
number instrumented natural
watersheds, representing a wide
range of sizes and geographical
areas. t/tp Q/Qp
0 0
0.1 0.03
0.2 0.1
0.3 0.19
0.4 0.31
0.5 0.47
0.6 0.66
0.7 0.82
0.8 0.93
0.9 0.99
1 1
1.2 0.93
1.4 0.78
1.6 0.65
1.8 0.39
2 0.28
2.2 0.207
2.4 0.147
2.6 0.107
2.8 0.077
3 0.055
3.4 0.029
4 0.011
 NRCS Hydrograph Method

2, 08  Q(cm)  A(km 2 )
Qp 
Tp
D
tp   tl
2

D=0.22tl
Example
Develop a unit hydrograph using the SCS method
The watershed consists of meadows in good condition with CN=70. The average slope in the
watershed is 0.5%. The length to divide is 1680 m. The area of watershed is 2.25 km2.
Solution D
1. Find tp tp   tl
2
Find tl L0,8 (S  2,54) 0,7
tl  (hr)
1410I 0,5

2540 2540
S (cm)   25,4   25,4  10,92cm
CN 70
L0,8 ( S  2,54) 0,7 16800,8 (10,92  2,54) 0,7
tl  (hr )   2,35hr
1410I 0,5 1410(0,5) 0,5
Find D
D=0.22tl= 0,5hr
Tp= 0,5/2+2,35=2,60hr

2,08  Q(cm)  A(km 2 )

2. Find Qp Qp 
Tp
2,08 1  2,25
Qp   1,80m 3 / s
2,60

3. Find Tr
From Tb=(Tp+Tr)=Tp+1,67Tp=2,67Tp
Q pt p Q p tr
Vol  
2 2

V=0,5(24991s*1,8m3/s) =22492m3
t/tp Q/Qp t(min) Q(m3/s)
0 0 0,00 0,00
0,2 0,1 31,20 0,18
0,3 0,19 46,80 0,34
0,4 0,31 62,40 0,56
0,5 0,47 78,01 0,85
0,6 0,66 93,61 1,19
0,7 0,82 109,21 1,48
0,8 0,93 124,81 1,67
0,9 0,99 140,41 1,78
1 1 156,01 1,80
1,2 0,93 187,21 1,67
1,4 0,78 218,41 1,40
1,6 0,65 249,62 1,17
1,8 0,39 280,82 0,70
2 0,28 312,02 0,50
2,2 0,207 343,22 0,37
2,4 0,147 374,42 0,26
2,6 0,107 405,63 0,19
2,8 0,077 436,83 0,14
3 0,055 468,03 0,10
3,4 0,029 530,43 0,05
4 0,011 624,04 0,02
5 0 780,05 0,00
Let’s review-Exam questions

Hydrologic Watershed Peak runoff

cycle hydrology

Runoff Rational NRCS method

hydrograph method

52